Tragic Marine was ‘bedrock’ for his family

Lance Corporal Martin Gill, 22, of 42 Commando, was shot dead in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province on Sunday.

His company commander said he became the “bedrock” for his younger brother and sister after their mother died a month before he went to Afghanistan.

L/Cpl Gill, from Nottingham, joined the Royal Marines in April 2008 and was stationed to guard the UK’s nuclear deterrent before joining Kilo Company of 42 Commando – known as the Black Knights – last September.

The serviceman, known as “Fish” to his friends, was killed taking part in a patrol, meeting local Afghans and disrupting insurgents ready for future operations.

L/Cpl Gill was providing cover for a comrade using a metal detector to look for hidden Taliban roadside bombs when he was gunned down.

His brother John, sister Rebecca and girlfriend Lauren said he was proud to be a Royal Marine.

“He was always up for a challenge and unfortunately died doing what he had always wanted to do,” they said in a statement.

“He was the life and soul of every party, beloved and cherished by everyone.

“Martin will be deeply loved and missed forever.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ewen Murchison, commanding officer of 42 Commando Royal Marines, said L/Cpl Gill was a marine of “rare quality” and described his death as an “appalling tragedy”.

He said: “Despite his mum dying only weeks before the start of the tour, he was exceptionally keen to deploy.

“This was the mark of the man: passionate and dedicated to his profession and utterly loyal to his friends and fellow marines.”

Three British troops have died in three days, taking the UK death toll since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 371.